West African Syndicate drug mule swallows 60 shabu capsules

A suspected member of the West African Drug Syndicate (WADS) was, on Sunday, charged with trying to smuggle in illegal drugs after authorities had discovered that the alleged drug courier had tried to sneak past security at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport having swallowed 60 thumb-sized capsules of shabu. The courier, who is a national of the Republic of Benin, was allegedly to deliver the drugs to a local Philippine contact in exchange for $4,000. According to the National Bureau of Investigation-Reaction and Interdiction Division (RAID) investigation, the courier’s arrival last Friday at the NAIA was noted by immigration officials, who were suspicious of the Benin national's purpose for traveling. The immigration men promptly alerted the Airport Task Force on Drug Couriers and the NBI of their suspicions. Later, while in the custody of the NBI, the courier complained of a stomach ache, and was brought to a hospital for a medical examination. An X-ray allegedly revealed the presence of the capsules in the stomach. In the presence of NBI agents and investigators, the courier was said to have so far defecated 34 capsules which were later certified by NBI Forensic chemist to be positive for methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) with a net weight of 448 grams.

An NBI chemist shows capsules of shabu allegedly swallowed, then defecated by a West African Drug Syndicate courier, a Republic Benin national. Photo by DANNY PATA

The courier was immediately placed under arrest and was provided legal representation from the Public Attorney’s Office. The Benin national was brought to the City Prosecutor of Manila Sunday where he was charged with violating Sec. 5 (Transportation of Dangerous Drugs) and Sec. 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs) Art. II of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. This is the first case encountered by authorities where a courier swallowed improvised capsules of shabu and the supposed offender is caught with the capsules still concealed in the body. The Benin national is being monitored as more capsules are expected to be expelled in the following hours or days. Investigators are also trying to learn the identities of the courier’s local contacts. — DVM, GMA News